Jeremy Vine: the new Peter Snow?

Well we're all a bit baffled by the local elections. But as we spend the day totting up the winners and losers, let's take the time to focus on the really important question. Is Jeremy Vine's mastery of the election graphic up to the standards of the legendary Peter Snow?

It's hard not to feel for Vine - those are quite literally big shoes to fill. And local election run-out is good practice for the big gig; he's got a couple of years yet to reach general election standards. But, squinting at him in the wee small hours in that heady state that can only be achieved by drinking heavily then attempting to understand electoral mathematics, I'm afraid I was filled with nostalgia for the king of the swingometer himself.

Our dedicated team of results watchers here in Farringdon Road this morning are filled with questions: has Jeremy been rooting through Simon Cowell's cast-offs? Those high-waisted trousers were shocking.

Did anyone tell him that stats change through the night? He seemed particularly baffled during one 'explanation' I happened to catch, though as I have no idea what time it was or even what was being explained, I can't really be relied upon as a witness.

Did the senior Jeremy sneer or smile as he linked to him as "the Radio 2 DJ Jeremy Vine"? Let's assume that was affectionate.

Full marks for enthusiasm, though. God love him, he's still at it on News 24 this morning, looking for all the world as if he's on one of those karaoke dance mats that the kids plug into the telly. Or, a colleague points out, Disco Sarko.